What an experience you are having. It is just as well not to be arrested, but I am glad that you are part of the action. It must be difficult to know where to go.
The messages in the media here are very mixed. It is clear that Canada is an obvious target (partly deserved, partly not ) of people’s anger at our lack of vision and clear, meaningful commitment. The Herald and the Globe and Mail are critical of Mayor Miller and the premiers of Ontario and Quebec for hammering the Feds at an international conference. Of course if the Feds had taken climate change seriously and sought to develop a sound national policy with proper consultation, they wouldn’t be in this awful mess now.
I believe there is a lot of posturing on all sides. No wonder your generation is fed up.
I am glad you met our Moderator Mardi. She is just the leader we need right now. You can see her blog at:
www.united-church.ca/communications/moderators-desk
Have you met Alanna Mitchell, who is there with Mardi? She wrote the fabulous book “Sea Sick”. She has won awards for her environmental reporting, is a very engaging person, and someone you would like. If you don’t meet her at COP 15, keep an eye out for her in Toronto.
The next few days will prove to be quite exciting, so take full advantage of all opportunities. I believe, and hope, that enough momentum has been created that “the train can’t stop now”. We might not achieve everything hoped for, but some clear commitments will be made to keep the process going until a real deal can be made within the year. It will be up to all of us to keep the pressure on.
I look forward to your letters, and to meeting you sometime, either in Calgary or Toronto.
Peace,
Bill
www.billphipps.ca
http://fastforcourage.wordpress.com/
